I think Holzer is good enough to play in a defensive role and in difference between Holzer and Hjalmarsson is not big enough to create a hole in our lineup that would be filled by Tim Connolly (Bluhhg)

I think Holzer is good enough to play in a defensive role and in difference between Holzer and Hjalmarsson is not big enough to create a hole in our lineup that would be filled by Tim Connolly (Bluhhg)

Holzer is an AHL defenceman, Hjalmarsson is a bonafide top 4 NHL defenceman.

I'm not saying the Leafs can make this deal, but you're nuts if you think it's a good idea to slot Holzer into our vacant 2nd pairing spot.

As someone who dislikes both teams, I can say with a high degree of objectivity that this is an overpayment by Toronto. Hjalmarsson is a pretty solid defenseman, but he isn't worth a top-6 center and a pick, especially when after Grabovski there isn't another guy who can play top-six C.

Chicago would definitely do this trade though--if that means anything.

Whoa now, hold on. I am game for this if the leafs can rid ourselves of Komi or Holzer. The idea that we "Need" Bozak is a little bit of an overstatement here. We do this trade we have a great partner for either Gardiner or Neuf as well as free up a cluttered position to have Colborne come up. Despite his performance in the AHL he was pretty good for us when he was in the NHL with Frattin so I would certainly do this trade.

Whoa now, hold on. I am game for this if the leafs can rid ourselves of Komi or Holzer. The idea that we "Need" Bozak is a little bit of an overstatement here. We do this trade we have a great partner for either Gardiner or Neuf as well as free up a cluttered position to have Colborne come up. Despite his performance in the AHL he was pretty good for us when he was in the NHL with Frattin so I would certainly do this trade.

No from Chicago. Bozak isn't a 2nd line centre; he's a fringe guy. If Chicago's trading Hammer, they should go big and get a guy that legitimately fills the hole now and going forward.

And, I'm sorry, but even if Bozak was significantly better at faceoffs than Bolland (which he's not; 48% vs 52%), that would still be no reason to trade for him.. there are alot of centres that are better on faceoffs than Bolland.. get a true 2nd line centre if you're giving up a significant piece.

I am fine with it as Bozak is great and all but he is not a great number one center. Really I do not think it is Bozak that works well with Kessel it is more or less Lupul. When Lupul was out of the line up Kessel was not preforming like he should be. When you look at Toronto D it is pretty light on the defensive minded players.

- Gunnarsson
- Komisareak
- Holzer (Still not 100% on him.)

The only true player I trust is Gunnar as Komisareak play has dropped and I see no reason for it to pick up and Holzer is a rookie who has not seen any real play time in the NHL.

Seems to me that is makes our D core much more stable. My only problem is Hjalmarsson is not as rugged as I would like but he is still defensively sound. Something that would work well with Liles or Gardiner.

No from Chicago. Bozak isn't a 2nd line centre; he's a fringe guy. If Chicago's trading Hammer, they should go big and get a guy that legitimately fills the hole now and going forward.

And, I'm sorry, but even if Bozak was significantly better at faceoffs than Bolland (which he's not; 48% vs 52%), that would still be no reason to trade for him.. there are alot of centres that are better on faceoffs than Bolland.. get a true 2nd line centre if you're giving up a significant piece.

What significant piece are Hawks moving?

Hammer wont net a big caliber player. Bozak type guys are what you will get for Hammer

No from Chicago. Bozak isn't a 2nd line centre; he's a fringe guy. If Chicago's trading Hammer, they should go big and get a guy that legitimately fills the hole now and going forward.

And, I'm sorry, but even if Bozak was significantly better at faceoffs than Bolland (which he's not; 48% vs 52%), that would still be no reason to trade for him.. there are alot of centres that are better on faceoffs than Bolland.. get a true 2nd line centre if you're giving up a significant piece.

Disagree. Hammer is not a significant piece. You wont get someone much better if at all than Bozak for him. I understand why Leaf fans wouldn't do it, but the value is fair.

Toronto doesn't offer because they can't replace Bozak. Who is going to play with Kessel? Graboviski hasn't demonstrated that he can.

This is not a big enough trade to warrant a third team giving a top-six center to Toronto to make it happen, imo.

Connolly can replace Bozak, through this shortened season. As of now there are some solid options through free agency, although that number will drop. There could be a center or two available through trade at that time aswell. If a replacement can't be found re-sign Connolly or Lombardi, whomever plays better. Bozak was never going to be the long-term #1 center, although he could be kept around as a solid 3C when a higher calibre center is acquired. The Leafs don't have much for defensive defenseman in the system (Holzer, Granberg, Nilsson, MacWilliam, Loov) and only Komisarek and Gunnarsson on the roster. Hjalmarsson is young and good enough to be part of the Leafs top-4 for a number of years.

Hammer wont net a big caliber player. Bozak type guys are what you will get for Hammer

A 25-year-old top-4 Dman. How anyone could say Hammer isn't a siginificant piece is beyond me. Although Hammer wouldn't net a great 2nd line centre by himself, as part of a package the Hawks could get a legitimate centre to fill the hole now and going forward as opposed to getting a player like Bozak who would merely be a stopgap until the Hawks could upgrade (costing likely another roster player/prospects) at the position or until one of their prospects developes.